Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. Our Reading titled Leap of Faith was written by

Kimya Loder. As I prepared to ride a zip line from the highest point of a rainforest in the

Caribbean island of St. Lucia, fear welled up inside me.

Seconds before I jumped from the platform, thoughts of everything that could go wrong filled my

mind. But with all the courage I could muster, and a few options for turning back, I released.

Dropping from the pinnacle of the forest, I whizzed through the lush green

trees, wind flowing through my hair, and my worries slowly fading. As I moved through the air,

allowing gravity to carry me, my view of the next platform became clearer, and with a gentle

stop, I knew I'd arrived safely.

My time on the zip line pictured for me the times God has us undertake new challenging endeavors.

Scripture teaches us to put our trust in God and lean not on our own understanding when we

feel doubt and uncertainty. When our minds are filled with fear and doubt,

our paths can be unclear and distorted. But once we've made the decision to step out in faith

by submitting our way to God, he will make our paths straight. We become more confident taking

leaps of faith by learning who God is through

spending time in prayer and the scriptures. We can find freedom and tranquility even in life's

challenges as we hang on to God and allow Him to guide us through the changes in our lives.

Today's Our Daily Bread Devotional Scripture reading is from Proverbs chapter 3 verses 5 through 8.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways submit to him and he will make your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your

path straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes. Fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring

health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

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